Family pays tribute to dad by raising £330k for Brain Tumor Charity

A family's dedication to raising money and making a massive contribution to the community has earned them a Pride of Reading nomination.

The Humphries family could walk away from this year's ceremony with the Family of the Year accolade after being put forward by Kerry Curtis, from Silverdale Road, Earley, Berkshire.

Ms Curtis, 48, said: "The whole family are amazing and have supported East Reading and Reading in general for years.

"Mum Liz founded ERAPA [East Reading Adventure Playground Association], and the whole family, led mostly by [my cousin] Neil Humphries, fundraises all the time for Brain Tumour Charity and Action for Children by organising The Big Match, an annual football match."

In the 1970s, she opened the first playgroup for parents and babies, and in the 1980s, she created The East Reading Adventure Playground Association, fundraising and building a play space for children and young people in Palmer Park. She was also a prominent figure in the East Reading Neighbourhood Watch, and founded the East Reading Carnival.

Following the death of her husband to a brain tumour in 2012, she joined forces with her family to fundraise for The Big Match, a charity started by her son Neil, 40, in memory of his father, David Humphries.

To date, The Big Match - held every year at the Madejski Stadium with teams of celebrities, professional footballers and local people battling it out on the pitch for charity - has raised an impressive £330,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and Action for Children.

The Humphries family have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Brain Tumor Charity. Credit: UGC

The Big Match has also sponsored more than 15 grassroots football teams across Reading, Berkshire.

“For under-fives to under-16s, we have created an environment where people who have been affected by the charities and, perhaps, others can come to together and have a great time,” said Mr Humphries.

“We have had over 700 children take part in The Big Match Kidz sessions and do something active, fun, and get the chance to the play in a big stadium, all while raising money and helping others.

“We’ve even helped a retired referee get back into to football!”

The Humphries family pictured with the Premier League Trophy. Credit: UGC

Mr Humphries’ wife Carla, 35, who has worked at Microsoft for some 12 years, has also generated thousands of pounds for Action for Children and the Brain Tumour Charity by taking part in duathlons, netball tournaments, spinathons, sweepstakes, a quiz night and family fun days. She has also sold match tickets and filled collection buckets.

And in 2016, she persuaded Microsoft to match her funding.

On being told of the family’s Pride of Reading nomination, Mr Humphries said: “I have the best family in the world and this nomination proves how special they are.

“They are always willing to put other people first and help. Tirelessly.

“It’s important for everyone to do their bit and we just want to help where we can. If you can help change the course of a young person’s life or help fund research into cures for brain tumours by doing some fundraising then that is worth doing.”